For immediate release: October 31, 2019 (19-125)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.
The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., dentists, nurses, counselors). Information about disciplinary action taken against medical doctors and physician assistants can be found on the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) website. Questions about WMC disciplinary actions can be sent to media@wmc.wa.gov.
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In October 2019 the Dental Commission charged dentist Constant E. Lu (DE00007444) with unprofessional conduct. Lu allegedly provided inadequate or needless treatment to multiple patients.
Franklin County
In October 2019 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacist Serina L. Ferrer (PH60172317) that requires her to comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Ferrer misused alcohol before and during her shift at a pharmacy, and was impaired by alcohol while working.
King County
In October 2019 the Dental Commission charged dentist and dentist moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit holder Daniel Ghorbani (DE00009770, CS60276151) with unprofessional conduct. Ghorbani allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care in treating multiple patients. Charges say one patient sustained a brain injury after Ghorbani used an inadequate method of oxygen delivery, didn’t competently administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or rescue breathing, and didn’t carry out an adequate emergency response. Ghorbani allegedly didn’t maintain appropriate procedures in his office. He allegedly used an unapproved test device, one he lacked a license to operate.
In October 2019 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional trainee Ana Amador Lopez (CO60258974) with unprofessional conduct. Lopez allegedly practiced with an expired credential. She also allegedly used her supervisor’s computer credentials to sign client treatment records, resulting in the agency that employed her receiving greater reimbursement amounts than it otherwise would have.
In October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Sipu Julius Suluai (NA60425235) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Suluai was convicted of two counts of third-degree child molestation.
In October 2019 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor Program agreed to reinstate the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Danny Wills (CG60816826) and ordered him to re-enter a substance abuse monitoring program. Wills’s license was suspended in 2019 because he didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
In October 2019 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Anne L. Coatney (OP00001983) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while Coatney practiced in Washington, she attempted to provide care through telemedicine to a patient in Georgia. She allegedly instructed the patient to perform exercises, and made medical diagnoses without personally watching or examining the patient. Coatney also allegedly prescribed medical equipment for the patient. Charges say she billed Medicare for the equipment without meeting two required criteria. Coatney allegedly didn’t attempt to avoid unnecessary financial strain on the patient. The physician allegedly provided care outside clinical guidelines and standard of care by failing to attempt to confer with the patent’s primary care provider.
Kitsap County
In October 2019 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Blake J. Wagner (CH00003095) with unprofessional conduct. Wagner’s license expired in 2014. In 2016 he applied to reactivate it. In 2016 Wagner was convicted on two counts of driving under the influence. In 2017 he was convicted of felony driving under the influence, second-degree driving while license suspended or revoked, operation of a motor vehicle without ignition interlock device, and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant.
In October 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the medical assistant credential of Annette K. Evans (CM60406231).
Pierce County
In October 2019 the Unlicensed Practicing Program notified Christina L. Coates of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Coates allegedly practiced as a dispensing optician between about June 2014 and June 2019, but hasn’t held a dispensing optician license since June 2014.
In October 2019 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Mary Leesa E. Tempest (VA00043117) with unprofessional conduct. Tempest allegedly diverted drugs from the pharmacy where she worked. In 2019 she was convicted of possession of legend drugs.
Snohomish County
In September 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Dianna Hale (NC60510270) with unprofessional conduct. Hale allegedly accepted at least $500 from a resident of an assisted living facility where she worked.
In October 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the marriage and family therapist, and agency-affiliated counselor, credentials of Cami Lynn Kaltbrunner (LF60449732, CG60155896).
Spokane County
In October 2019 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kimberly Wright Hamilton (RN60772386) with unprofessional conduct. Hamilton allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Out of State
Colorado: In October 2019 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Mallory Moss Katz (RN60939306, AP60939307) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Katz relinquished her Colorado nursing credentials in connection with having formed a romantic, sexual, and financial relationship with a patient.
Idaho: In October 2019 the Hearing and Speech Board charged hearing aid specialist Zachary Mark Bennett (HA60540080) with unprofessional conduct. In 2017 Bennett’s Idaho hearing aid dealer and fitter license was placed on probation.
Ohio: In October 2019 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant credential of Bhakta Rizal (NC10083983). Rizal’s license was suspended in 2014 in connection with neglect of a vulnerable adult patient who subsequently died.
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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